hopefully the guys have been playing well within themselves, we have the makings of a very good 1st team, roll-on the 7th of september and put Zebre to the sword.

Hope this is nothing to worry about.

Can't help but feel we vulnerable in front and back rows?

Will take time regardless. I like what Pat Lam has been saying. This is only pre season. A number of players are still out of action and Clarke has just arrived.

Lets hope things settle down now for a successful season ahead.

Would like to see an independent match review, from the Falcons report it looks like we were limited to rolling mauls in the opponent's half. That's worrying if it's the case.

Her man Fitzpatrick is an absolute tank, so would have been a tough afternoon defensively for Griff & Finn...

from Falcons website

Newcastle Falcons continued their preparations for the Aviva Premiership season with a 23-10 victory over Connacht Rugby at Kingston Park.

Tries from Ryan Shortland and Andrew Higgins coupled with the boot of Joel Hodgson and Phil Godman put the RaboDirect Pro 12 side to the sword.

Former RGS pupil Hodgson was on target with a magnificent 35 metre penalty six minutes into the contest to give the Falcons the advantage at 3-0.

Looking sharp in the early exchanges, experienced scrum-half Mike Blair was orchestrating affairs with quick ball at the breakdown, forcing Connacht to concede the penalty which Hodgson duly obliged with.

With a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock, the visitors were enjoying a period of sustained pressure on the Falcons’ try line. Trundling the ball up with a series of menacing drives, the Connacht heavies, which included Super 15 winning captain Craig Clarke, went within inches of the whitewash before referee Tim Wigglesworth penalised Dean Richards’ men for coming in at the side.

Dan Parks, RaboDirect Pro 12 all-time top point’s scorer made no mistake from 25 metres out to level the score. It could have been so much more for the Irish province had it not been for a well drilled Newcastle defensive line.

A second Hodgson penalty of the afternoon came on 26 minutes thanks to some excellent counter-rucking from the Falcons pack. Blair’s downfield kick was chased through by a sea of black jerseys before Mr Wigglesworth awarded the penalty directly in front of goal.

Rain lashing down for much of the first-half, both sides endeavoured to weather the greasy conditions. Renowned for his hard-hitting, abrasive carries, James Fitzpatrick was in typical form at the heart of the Falcons’ backline with a string of breaks to light up proceeding.

Despite the elements, Newcastle to their credit were giving the ball air to the satisfaction of all inside Kingston Park. The Falcons pushed for a try on the stroke of half-time with Blair very nearly the architect for a five-point score, but the score remained 6-3 to the hosts going into the interval.

Replacing Hodgson at the break, another of Richards’ latest acquisitions, Phil Godman, took to the field. And the Scotland international wasted no time in introducing himself to the Kingston Park faithful with a penalty 35 metres out to extend his side’s lead to 9-3.

On 48 minutes the Falcons crossed for the first try of the day courtesy of winger Ryan Shortland, who crashed over from close range.

A combination of Blair’s high tempo at the breakdown, and Godman’s vision in attack were the catalyst for the score. Godman’s composure was evident as his delayed looping pass found Noah Cato in space on the far side, before the ball was switched back to the middle of the park where Shortland, at full throttle, latched on to Godman’s inch-perfect flat pass. Godman converted to put the Falcons 16-3 ahead.

The northeasterners were over for their second try of the game with just over 15 minutes remaining thanks to Andrew Higgins. Nimble hands from Jamie Helleur and Tom Catterick worked the ball left to Alex Crockett who found Higgins on the overlap to squeeze in at the corner in front of the South Stand. Godman’s touchline conversion added further gloss to the score-line at 23-3.

Connacht reduced the deficit to 23-10 with full-time looming; flanker Willie Faloon putting the finishing touches to a rolling maul. Miah Nikora landed an impressive touchline conversion to set-up an interesting final few minutes.

But the Tyneside club remained calm and assured to remain unbeaten this pre-season going into their third and final warm-up game this Friday against Edinburgh Rugby at Mansfield Park, home of Hawick RFC (kick-off 7.45pm).

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Catterick, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Danny Barnes, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Mike Blair, 1 Gary Strain, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 4 Dom Barrow, 5 Carlo del Fava, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 8 Ally Hogg

Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Matt Thompson, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Scott MacLeod, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Phil Godman, 23 Jamie Helleur, 24 Chris York, 25 Alex Crockett, 26 Andy Higgins

Connacht Rugby: 15 Fionn Carr, 14 Tiernan O’Halloran, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Conor Finn, 11 Shayne Layden, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Frank Murphy, 1 Brett Wilkinson, 2 Jason Harris-Wright, 3 Nathan White, 4 Mick Kearney, 5 Craig Clarke, 6 Eoin McKeon, 7 Willie Faloon, 8 George Maoupu

Replacements: 16 Sean Henry, 17 Rodney Ah You, 18 Ronan Loughney, 19 Michael Swift, 20 Andrew Browne, 21 John Muldoon, 22 Jake Heenan, 23 Kiernan Marmion, 24 Miah Nikora, 25 Brian Murphy, 26 Steve McAuley

can't say I'm filled with too much optimism right now after seeing that result

Final score 23-10
One try by Willie Faloon plus conversion by Nikora and penalty from Parks.
Two tries conceded, no idea what to make of this.
Roll on 7 September.

phatguerilla wrote: I believe he played there often at AIL level but haven't a clue if he played there in the pro12 at any point, don't remember him ever being fb at Leinster at least.
Considering what Lam was saying about including academy players and such its probably a good idea to try out Carr at fb and Layden on the wing, increasing our utility/emergency options is probably going to be necessary this season. Also Harris-Wright as captain is a great shout, perhaps if he was captain more often he'd have less yellows this season a la ruchie mccaw?? :whistle:

The season before Fionn joined us first time around, he played a full season of AIL1 with Blackrock at Fullback bagging a shed load of tries...

He played FB for us once for twice his positioning was suspect but it was in the very early days so touch wood he's improved.

phatguerilla wrote: I don't remember him ever being fb at Leinster at least.

He was 15 regularly for Leinster A, even in B&I final against.... Newcastle
But still not sure about the defense, anyway wingers are due to take a nearly similar part in the defensive line

Not too sure about that line up. Would of preferred to see Layden at fb his prefered position and carr out on the wing

I believe he played there often at AIL level but haven't a clue if he played there in the pro12 at any point, don't remember him ever being fb at Leinster at least.
Considering what Lam was saying about including academy players and such its probably a good idea to try out Carr at fb and Layden on the wing, increasing our utility/emergency options is probably going to be necessary this season. Also Harris-Wright as captain is a great shout, perhaps if he was captain more often he'd have less yellows this season a la ruchie mccaw?? :whistle:

Carr at fb ? Can he play there? Defence+ kicking up to level required?

Team's out:

www.connachtrugby.ie/2013082383411/first...sthash.YElRoVMe.gbpl

Clarke starts, Harris-Wright captains.

So'oilao - waiting on a visa playing with his local team back in NZ at the moment
Henshaw - report to be back for Zebre (IRFU player welfare rules)

Not many of the academy players made the grade for the last preseason squad, pity as i think there are a lot of senior players coasting for the last few years

It would be good to see Jack Carty or Ronaldson on the bench give them one more run out

Squad for Newcastle...

www.connachtrugby.ie/2013082283408/squad...-travel-to-newcastle

Swifty's back, Muldowney rested, Murphy and Miah look like the backup halfbacks, still no sign of the lads who played over the summer (Henshaw and So'oilao).

Anyone know if Poolman's injured?

UPDATE: Poolman has a hamstring injury.

They didn't say whether it was due to injury, player welfare, exams etc. but he was down as unavailable for Castres, so thankfully doesn't seem to be anything sudden or unexpected.